Safely Sanitizing Your Technology with High-Purity Alcohol and Microfiber

Jason Denovich
Nov 13
5 min read

At New Look Computer and Data, we believe that a clean device is a healthy device. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the safest and most effective method for sanitizing your electronics, focusing on the power of high-purity Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and the gentle touch of microfiber, ensuring your technology is as clean as the data it manages.

The Startling Truth About Germs on Your Devices

The data is clear and, frankly, unsettling. Our personal and professional devices are far dirtier than most people realize. Studies have consistently shown that high-touch electronics are breeding grounds for microorganisms, posing a genuine, though often ignored, health risk.

•Smartphones are Germ Magnets: Research from the University of Arizona found that cell phones can carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats 3 6. This is primarily due to the heat they generate, the constant contact with our hands and faces, and their frequent placement in various environments.

•High Colony Counts: The average electronic device can harbor over 2,000 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria, making them significantly germier than many common household surfaces 2. These colonies often include common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) and E. coli, which can survive on surfaces for extended periods 5 4.

•Widespread Contamination: Up to 94% of gadgets show some form of bacterial contamination, highlighting the urgent need for regular, effective cleaning 5.

This contamination is a particular concern in office and commercial business environments, where devices are often shared or used by multiple people throughout the day. The simple act of hot-desking or sharing a conference room keyboard can facilitate rapid cross-contamination, turning a single sick employee's germs into a widespread office issue.

The Right Tools for the Job: Alcohol and Microfiber

Cleaning sensitive electronics requires a precise approach. You cannot simply use harsh household cleaners, which contain chemicals that can strip oleophobic coatings from screens, degrade plastic, and even corrode internal components. The solution lies in two essential tools that are both powerful disinfectants and gentle on hardware: high-purity Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and microfiber cloths.

1. The Power of High-Purity Isopropyl Alcohol (80% or Higher)

For safely cleaning electronics, we recommend using Isopropyl Alcohol with a concentration of 80% or higher. While 70% IPA is a popular choice for general surface disinfection, higher concentrations are superior for technology for several key reasons, primarily related to water content and evaporation speed:

IPA Concentration	Primary Use Case for Electronics	Key Benefit for Tech Cleaning
91% to 99%	Internal components, circuit boards, sensitive connections, and external surfaces.	Dries almost instantly, leaving virtually no residue and minimizing the risk of water damage. This is the gold standard for internal cleaning 7 8.
80% to 90%	External surfaces, keyboards, mice, and plastic casings.	Excellent cleaning and sanitizing power with a slightly slower evaporation rate than 99%. Still highly effective and safe for most external use 8.
70%	General surface disinfection (non-electronics).	Contains more water, which is sometimes necessary for the alcohol to penetrate a cell wall for disinfection, but is less ideal for sensitive electronics due to the higher water content and slower drying time 11.

Crucially, never spray alcohol directly onto your device. Direct application risks liquid seeping into seams, ports, or vents, which can cause irreparable damage. Instead, dampen a microfiber cloth until it is moist, not soaking wet, and then gently wipe the surface.

2. The Gentle Touch of Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are the ideal partner for IPA because they are engineered to be safe and effective on delicate surfaces:

•Non-Abrasive and Safe: Microfiber is composed of tiny, synthetic fibers that are extremely soft and non-abrasive, ensuring a scratch-free cleaning experience on all surfaces, including sensitive screens and camera lenses 12 13.

•Lint-Free Design: Unlike paper towels or standard rags, microfiber is lint-free, preventing frustrating dust and fibers from being left behind, which is essential for clear screens and optical components 12.

•Superior Cleaning Action: The unique structure of the split fibers creates a massive surface area that is highly effective at picking up and trapping dust, dirt, oils, and even microscopic bacteria, rather than just spreading them around 14.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Safe Cleaning

To ensure maximum safety and effectiveness, follow these steps for cleaning your devices:

1.Power Down: Always turn off and unplug your device before cleaning. For laptops, shut down and disconnect the power adapter. For smartphones, power them off completely.

2.Prepare the Cloth: Apply a small amount of 80% or higher IPA to your microfiber cloth. The cloth should be damp, not dripping.

3.Clean Screens: Gently wipe screens in a single direction (e.g., top to bottom) to avoid swirling debris. Use light pressure to remove fingerprints and smudges.

4.Sanitize Keyboards and Mice: For keyboards, gently wipe the surface of the keys. For deeper cleaning, you can use a can of compressed air to dislodge debris before wiping. For mice, pay special attention to the scroll wheel and the high-contact areas.

5.Address Ports and Crevices: Use a cotton swab lightly dampened with IPA to carefully clean around ports, seams, and in the crevices of keyboards. Be extremely careful not to leave any cotton fibers behind.

6.Allow to Dry: Because of the high alcohol concentration, the surfaces will dry almost instantly. Wait a few moments to ensure all moisture has evaporated before powering your device back on.

The Commercial Imperative: Cleaning Neglected Hotspots

In a commercial setting, the need for a robust cleaning protocol is amplified. Cross-contamination is a major risk, and a lack of clear cleaning standards can lead to unnecessary sick days and reduced productivity.

The key to a successful commercial cleaning strategy is to focus on the neglected hotspots—the areas that are touched constantly but often missed by standard cleaning crews:

•Shared Workstations: Any device in a hot-desking or shared environment, including conference room remotes, presentation clickers, and shared monitors, should be sanitized between users.

•The Underside of the Mouse: The bottom of the mouse, which drags across the desk, and the scroll wheel, which collects oils and debris.

•Keyboard Crevices: The spaces between the keys, which accumulate food crumbs, skin flakes, and dust.

•Charging Ports and Cables: The ends of charging cables and the ports they plug into are handled frequently and can transfer germs from one device to another.

•Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: Keypads and touchscreens used by both staff and customers are among the highest-risk surfaces in a retail or service environment.

By implementing a regular cleaning protocol using high-purity IPA and microfiber cloths, you are not just making your devices look better—you are actively reducing the risk of germ transmission, protecting your employees, and promoting a healthier, more productive workspace. New Look Computer and Data is committed to helping you maintain a clean and safe technological environment.